Method, System, and Computer Program for Determining if a Subject is Snoring

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining if a subject is snoring is disclosed, including the steps of: determining if the subject is present in a bed; determining if there is snoring; determining if snoring is emitted from the subject; and generating an output signal, wherein the output signal is dependent on if the snoring is emitted from the subject. A computer program arranged to cause a computer to perform the steps of the method is also disclosed. Further, a system for snoring determination is disclosed, comprising a processor, an audio input means providing an audio signal to the processor, and a sensor pad arranged in a bed, the sensor pad providing a sensor pad signal to the processor, wherein the processor comprises devices for determination of presence of a subject from the sensor pad signal; devices for determination of snoring from the audio signal; devices for determination if the subject is emitting the snoring from the sensor pad signal and the audio signal; and an output arranged to provide an output signal according to determinations of the devices for determination of presence, devices for determination of snoring, and devices for determination is the subject is emitting the snoring.

1 . A method for determining if a subject is snoring, comprising the steps of:
 determining if said subject is present in a bed;   determining if there is snoring;   determining if snoring is emitted from said subject, comprising the step of processing an audio signal from an audio input means arranged in a vicinity of said bed and a sensor pad signal from a sensor pad of said bed, wherein said processing comprises the step of determining if said audio signal and said sensor pad signal are synchrone;   determining if said subject is asleep, comprising measuring physiological parameters of said subject, and processing the measured physiological parameters; and   generating an output signal, wherein said output signal is dependent on if said snoring is emitted from said subject and if said subject is snoring.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said physiological parameters are associated with breathing, heartbeat, or movements, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining if a subject is present in said bed comprises the step of detecting a signal from a sensor pad of said bed. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining if there is snoring comprises the steps of:
 acquiring an audio signal in a vicinity of said bed;   discriminating a physiological sound from said audio signal; and   determining if said physiological sound comprises snoring sounds.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said step of determining if said physiological sound comprises snoring sounds comprises the steps of
 measuring physiological parameters of said subject; and   processing measured physiological parameters.   
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said physiological parameters are associated with breathing, heartbeat, or movements, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said processing comprises the step of calculating a correlation between said audio signal and said sensor pad signal. 
   
   
       8 . A system for snoring determination comprising a processor, an audio input means providing an audio signal to said processor, and a sensor pad arranged in a bed, said sensor pad providing a sensor pad signal to said processor,
 wherein said processor comprises   means for determination of presence of a subject from said sensor pad signal;   means for determination of snoring from said audio signal;   means for determination if said subject is emitting said snoring from said sensor pad signal and said audio signal, wherein said means for determination if said subject is emitting said snoring comprises a correlator; and   an output arranged to provide an output signal according to determinations of said means for determination of presence, means for determination of snoring, and means for determination if said subject is emitting said snoring.   
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said processor further comprises means for determination if said subject is asleep from said sensor pad signal, wherein said output signal also is dependent on said determination if said subject is asleep. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said audio input is connected to a discriminator of said processor arranged to discriminate physiological sounds. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said sensor pad is connected to a signal processor of said processor, said signal processor being arranged to extract physiological information. 
   
   
       12 . A computer program arranged to cause a computer to perform the steps of  claim 1 , when downloaded and executed on said computer. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled)